Protective electrical outlet device

ABSTRACT

The protective electrical outlet device of the present invention is directed to an electrical cover plate, a cover that slides in slots in the cover plate, and a slide plate with male engagement fingers that lock or hold the cover securely in place.

RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application is based on provisional application Serial No.60/398,273, filed Jul. 24, 2002, entitled “Protective Electrical OutletDevice”.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention is directed to a child protective electricaloutlet device. The device is to replace the socket plates that exposeusually two sockets to secure the cords of electrical appliances andelectrical sockets from the hands of small children and pets.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] U.S. Pat. No. 4,674,813 discloses a theft protection system foran electrical instrument including a metal jacket power cord having anenlarged plug at each end.

[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 4,968,856 discloses a safety cover for anelectrical outlet comprising a slidable cover for partially orcompletely covering the electrical outlet, a housing defining therein atrack to guide the cover and a connector for securing the housing to theelectrical outlet.

[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 5,165,042 discloses a cover plate employing adecorative face plate slid ably mounted on a decorative receptacle formovement between an open position and a covered position.

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 5,212,347 discloses a plate that decorativelycovers a light switch or a convenience outlet on a wall using a slidingmember to cover or actuate the electrical device.

[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 5,961,336 discloses a safety device designed tohave a cover. Attached to the cover is a removable cover which slidesinto place and affirmatively locks.

[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 6,031,183 discloses an electrical outlet cover,cord and plug combination that includes a wall plate covering a walloutlet and receiving a cover there over to preclude access by children.

[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 6,342,676 discloses a safety guard device for anelectrical outlet provided with a base plate adapted to be fixed to anelectrical receptacle containing at least one aperture for registry withthe electrical receptacle, and a cover plate in slidable engagement withthe base plate for covering the base plate. A locking device is providedbetween the base plate and the cover plate locking the plates relativeto each other.

[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 6,372,987 discloses a safety guard for anelectrical wall outlet that includes a base plate adapted to be fixed toan electrical receptacle. The base plate containing at least oneaperture that is in registry with the electrical receptacle. A coverplate that is in slidable engagement with the base plate for coveringthe base plate and containing an aperture that is positioned to provideselective registry with the aperture in the base plate.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The protective electrical outlet device of the present inventionis directed to an electrical cover plate, a cover that slides in slotsin the cover plate, and a slide plate with male engagement fingers thatlock or hold the cover securely in place.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012]FIG. 1 is a side cross-section showing the device of the presentinvention covering a electrical plug that is plugged into an electricalsocket;

[0013]FIG. 2 is an isometric front view of the individual parts of thepresent invention;

[0014]FIG. 3 is an isometric back view of the individual parts of thepresent invention;

[0015]FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the assembled parts in the unlockedposition where the cover slides into the cover plate;

[0016]FIG. 5 is an isometric view of the assembled parts in the lockedposition where the cover is in a fixed position in the cover plate;

[0017]FIG. 6 is an alternative cover that is flat when nothing isplugged into the electrical socket;

[0018]FIG. 7 is an alternative cover that is larger when two cords or alarger plug is plugged into the electrical socket; and

[0019]FIG. 8 is an alternative cover that has opening when a light orair freshener is plugged into the electrical socket;

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0020] The present invention is directed to a replacement for the usualelectrical socket plate that has openings for the two sockets in thewall and more than covering the edges of the wall board at theelectrical junction, covers the sockets from the hands of small childrenand pets. The protective electrical outlet device of the presentinvention is directed to an electrical cover plate, a cover that slidesin slots in the cover plate, and a slide plate with male engagementfingers that lock or hold the cover securely in place.

[0021] Referring to FIG. 1, the device 10 of the present invention is aprotective electrical outlet device comprising three major parts;namely, a cover plate 12; a cover 14 that is held by the cover plate 12and a slide plate (16 not shown in FIG. 1. The cover plate replaces theusual plate that hides the wiring and permits the electrical socket orsockets to be flush with the plate and wall.

[0022] Referring to the exploded view of the device 10 in FIG. 2, thethree major parts are shown with the cover 14 in front of the coverplate 12 and the slide plate 16 behind the cover plate 12. The coverplate 12 has openings 20 and 22 for two electrical sockets, as in mosthomes and businesses. An opening 24 between the openings 20 and 22 isfor the screw that will be used to replace the usual plate. On bothsides of cover plate 12 is a channel 26 and 28 respectively. The cover14 is held in these channels 26 and 28, as will be explained in detailhereinafter.

[0023] Referring to the exploded view of the device 10 in FIG. 3, thethree major parts are shown from the rear or backside of the device.Shown are slide plate 16; the cover plate 12 and the cover 14. From thisperspective, the back of the cover 14 is seen to have two slide members36 and 38 respectively that slide in channels 26 and 28 respectively.The slide member 36 has a number of slots 37, the purpose of which willbe explained hereinafter.

[0024] Still referring to FIG. 3, the back of plate 12 has two alignmentbosses 40 and 42 that keep the slide plate 16 aligned. The slide plate16 has openings 44 and 46 so that the slide plate 16 may be placed onthe alignment bosses 40 and 42. The slide plate 16 is held on the bosses40 and 42 by slide guide covers 48 and 50 so that the slide plate 16 maybe easily moved from side-to-side on the bosses. The slide plate 16 hasa lower male member 45 and upper male member 47 that when held by thebosses 40 and 42 are aligned with opening 25 and 27, respectively, inthe cover plate 12. In the lower corner of slide plate 16 opposite themale members 45 and 47 is an elliptical slot 49. An elliptical safetylatch 52 is affixed to the back of cover plate 12 such that when theelliptical shape of latch 52 matches elliptical slot 49 that slide plate16 is in the position shown in FIG. 4.

[0025] Referring to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the cover 14 is affixed to coverplate 12 as shown in FIG. 4. The slide members 36 and 38 on the rear ofcover 14 slide in the channels in the front of cover plate 12. The coveris positioned where desired to cover one or more electrical sockets ofthe cover plate 12. As shown in FIG. 5, the safety latch 52 is turnedwith a screw driver inserted into the head of the screw on the outsideof cover plate 12 and the latch 52 is moved to the position as shownthat moves sliding plate 16 to the right as viewed from the rear. Themale members 45 and 47 pass through the openings 25 and 27 and malemember 47 will slide into a slot 37 of cover 14. It may require a slightraising or lowering of the cover 14 for the male member 47 and slot 37to be aligned. Once aligned and the latch 52 turned 90° from theposition in FIG. 4, the cover 14 is made secure with the coverprotecting one or more of the electrical sockets. If small children areinvolved, it may be desired to place the cover 14 such that allelectrical sockets are protected, whereas, if animals are the cause ofelectrical lines being tampered with, then only the socket that have anelectrical plug in the socket may be made secure.

[0026] Referring now to FIG. 6, on the front side of slide plate 16 is ahandle 60 that is placed in opening 62 of cover plate 12. The handle 60is used to move the slide plate 16 from the open to the secured positionwhen male member 47 of slide plate 16 is moved into slots 37 of thecover 14. The handle 60 is also used to remove the cover 14. Alsoillustrated in FIG. 6 is a flat cover 14 used when nothing is pluggedinto any of the electrical sockets. In FIGS. 7 and 8, these figuresillustrate that the cover 14 may have more than one design.Specifically, the covers of FIG. 7 may be a large cover 14 for utilityor larger cords or a small cover for telephone or small cords. The coverin FIG. 8 illustrates a cover 14 that has a plurality of openings in thesurface for use with an air freshener plugged into an electrical socketor a night light

1. A protective electrical outlet device comprising: an electrical coverplate having a front face and a back face, said front face havingchannels that are on each side of said cover plate; a cover that slidesin said channels in said cover sheet; and a slide plate with maleengagement fingers that slides on said back face of said cover plate tohold said cover securely in place.
 2. A protective electrical outletdevice according to claim 1 wherein said back face of said cover platehas at least one alignment boss to keep said slide plate aligned.
 3. Aprotective electrical outlet device according to claim 1 which furtherincludes: means for moving said slide plate into engagement with saidcover.
 4. A protective electrical outlet device according to claim 1which further includes: an elliptical latch that secures said slideplate when turned.